Hoosier Hikers Council

09/28/2026

On Thursday, Oct. 1, the Hoosier Hikers Council will be working on the Three Lakes Trail at Morgan-Monroe State Forest. On June 16th a tornado plowed through the forest and severely damaged a section of the Three Lakes Trail near Bryant Creek Lake. Much of the trail has been cleared or re-routed, but plenty of cutting and clearing remains to be done.

Morgan-Monroe State Forest is located east of I-69 about 8 miles south of Martinsville or about 13 miles north of Bloomington. We'll meet at the Bryant Creek Lake boat ramp on old SR 37 by the dam. Here's a Google maps link to the meeting place: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dhWgiNRp9mHwcci38

We'll meet at 10:00 am on Thursday, Oct. 1, and work until 3:00 pm. Please bring water and gloves. HHC will provide tools and training.

★★★★★ · Boat ramp

09/16/2026

This Third Saturday, September 19th, we’re returning to the stunning Yellow Birch Ravine in Taswell, Indiana to continue building a new, sustainable trail that highlights the beauty of the ravine and its unique ecological community, replacing the network of social trails that are eroding this special place.

To RSVP for the Work Day, please reply to [email protected] to let us know that you’re coming so we can plan enough lunch for all the workers. Please be aware that we unfortunately don’t have the resources to accommodate special dietary needs such as vegetarian, gluten-free, etc. at the workday lunch.

Yellow Birch Ravine Nature Preserve is about 90 minutes south of Bloomington. At the intersection of SR 37 and SR 64, go east about 5.3 miles to Trestle Road. Go south and west along Trestle Road for about one mile and you will reach the parking area along the right side of the road.
Here is a link to Google maps showing the meeting point:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gY9KztwNUevXfDUn7

We'll meet at 9 am on the 19th and work until 3 pm. As always, this workday is beginner-friendly, with tools and training provided. Please bring your own water and work gloves.

Thank you for taking part in this project to create an official trail that will both preserve and respect the Ravine and allow generations of future visitors to enjoy it!

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

09/12/2026

The Hoosier Hikers Council is saddened to report the passing of Phil Wilcoxson. We'll remember Phil for his dedication to the HHC, and especially to the Tecumseh Trail. Nobody knows the Tecumseh Trail better than Phil did, and he literally left his mark all along the Tecumseh and other trails. We'll miss Phil's chainsaw expertise, his grinning good humor, and his enthusiasm for improving Indiana's trails. Our hearts are with his wife, Bonnie, and their family.

09/06/2026

Hello Bring Your Own Tool Volunteers!

On Friday, Sept. 11th, the Hoosier Hikers Council will have a workday at Sycamore Land Trust's Powell Preserve. We will be trail building, building re-routes, and repairing trail damaged by recent storms. HHC will provide any trail-building tools required and will provide trail building training. Please bring your own water and lunch.

We'll meet at 9:00 am at the Powell Preserve parking area. We will plan to work until around 2pm.

Directions to SLT's Powell Preserve:
From SR 46 W in Ellettsville, turn right onto Matthews Road. After 1.5 miles, turn left onto Mt. Tabor Road and go 4 miles to Brighton Road. Turn left on Brighton. After 0.5 mile, the preserve will be on your left.

Here's a link to the Powell Preserve on Google maps:

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

08/08/2026

You’re invited to a Hoosier Hikers Council Campout & Work Day! This Third Saturday, August 15th, we’re returning to the stunning Yellow Birch Ravine in Taswell, Indiana to continue building a new, sustainable trail that highlights the beauty of the ravine and its unique ecological community, replacing the network of social trails that are eroding this special place.

Join us at 9AM Saturday at the trailhead (parking is limited and carpooling is encouraged), or come down the night before for an inclusive community campout at Patoka Lake! We’ll enjoy chili dogs and s’mores (veg* options available, please BYO water and favorite snacks) and spend time together before heading to the Ravine in the morning after oatmeal and coffee for breakfast. Camping is tent-only. Please register here so we’re ready to welcome you: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/QjmJxfXTwB

To RSVP for the Work Day only, please reply to [email protected] to let us know that you’re coming so we can plan enough lunch for all the workers. Please be aware that we unfortunately don’t have the resources to accommodate special dietary needs such as vegetarian, gluten-free, etc. at the workday lunch. As always, this workday is beginner-friendly, with tools and training provided. Please bring your own water and work gloves.

Yellow Birch Ravine Nature Preserve is about 90 minutes south of Bloomington. At the intersection of SR 37 and SR 64, go east about 5.3 miles to Trestle Road. Go south and west along Trestle Road for about one mile and you will reach the parking area along the right side of the road.

Here is a link to Google maps showing the meeting point:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/gY9KztwNUevXfDUn7

Thank you for taking part in this project to create an official trail that will both preserve and respect the Ravine and allow generations of future visitors to enjoy it!

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

07/27/2026

HHC trail adopters took advantage of the brief spell of nice cool weather to do more work on the 3 Lakes Trail, on the Rock Shelter Trail, on the Tecumseh Trail south of Prang Pond and on the Scarce o'fat Trail They don't always take time to send photos, but thanks to Cid Poe, Bill Isbell, Mark Sheehan, C'harles Andrew for their hard work. And for the hikers who were there to lean a hand when needed.

07/19/2026

After the tornado hit Morgan-Monroe State Forest last month, the west end of the 3 Lakes Trail, especially around Bryant Creek Lake was in need of some HHC magic. 30 volunteers met on this hot July day to tackle the worst of the tornado damage. Most folks were too busy working in the heat to take photos, but one picture will give an idea of what they had to clear out in so many places.

07/14/2026

On Saturday, July 18th, the Hoosier Hikers Council will be working on the Three Lakes Trail at Morgan-Monroe State Forest. On June 16th a tornado plowed through the forest and severely damaged a section of the Three Lakes Trail near Bryant Creek Lake.We'll be clearing the trail where possible and constructing temporary reroutes in areas that can't be cleared.

Please reply to [email protected] to let us know that you’re coming to the workday so we can plan enough lunch for all the workers. Please be aware that we unfortunately don’t have the resources to accommodate special dietary needs such as vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.

Morgan-Monroe State Forest is located east of I-69 about 8 miles south of Martinsville or about 13 miles north of Bloomington. We'll meet at the Bryant Creek Shelter parking area just inside the forest main entrance on old SR 37. Here's a link to the meeting location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gRyihywBPepjZoLX8.

We'll meet at 9:00 am on Saturday, July 18th, and work until 3:00 pm. Please bring water and gloves. HHC will provide tools, training, and lunch.

07/02/2026

UPDATE 6/30: Morgan-Monroe State Forest has been reopened to the public, but some areas and trails remain closed. Review openings, closures, and safety advisories at on.IN.gov/morganmonroesf.
TORNADO: On Wednesday, June 17, Morgan-Monroe State Forest was hit by a tornado that has since been upgraded to an EF-3 by the National Weather Service. Approximately 852 acres of state forest were directly hit, with another 2,008 acres of surrounding buffer zone experiencing varying degrees of damage. The DNR Division of Forestry continues to work daily to clean up affected areas of the property and salvage whatever is possible within the tornado area. Morgan-Monroe State Forest is still temporarily closed to the public as clean-up continues. Scout Ridge campground (pictured on the right) and shelter were directly hit by the tornado and will remain closed until further notice as work is done to clear extensive damage. Please be patient with us as our dedicated staff continue their work and check the Morgan-Monroe State Forest web page for property updates: on.IN.gov/morganmonroesfFrom The

A State that Works. IN.gov is the official website of the State of Indiana and your place to find information, services, news and events related to Indiana government.

06/29/2026

Hoosier Hikers Council plans to work on clearing the tornado damaged 3 Lakes Trail at Morgan-Monroe on their 3rd Saturday workday in July. Stay tuned for more informaiton.